Fans cheer for their favorite idol. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Experience gained

Every weekend in the past three months, Zhang has made the journey from Shanghai to the reality show's shooting base in Hangzhou, just to take photos and make videos of her favorite contestants.

Staying up late to see the contestants return from their training sessions, she usually had to catch the night train home on a Sunday to get back in time for work the next day.

"I post photos and videos online, so more fans can see their 'sweeties'," says Zhang.

When she was a student and couldn't afford to follow her idol in person, photographers from the fan club fulfilled this role.

"It's time for me to pay them back and help other fans," she says.

For Shi, being part of a fan club allows her to escape her work routine and make new friends.

"I wasn't so talkative before, but now I'm more willing to communicate with others," she says.

But Feng gained more practical experience from being involved with a fan club, as the process of decision-making gave her valuable management experience.

"My role as project coordinator has given me the confidence to look for jobs outside journalism," Feng says.